Toilets & fixtures
Toilet repair and replacement
Most toilet problems come down to a few inexpensive parts: the flapper, the fill valve, the flush valve or the wax ring. A plumber can replace them in one visit. Replacement is worth considering when the porcelain is cracked or an old high-volume toilet needs repeated repairs.
- Emergency plumbing help
- Licensed local plumbers
- Price confirmed before work
A toilet that runs is losing water through a worn flapper or a fill valve that does not shut off. Water at the base usually means the wax ring has failed or the toilet has come loose from the flange. A weak or partial flush points to a clog in the trapway, blocked rim holes or a low tank level.
A clog that returns after plunging may be an object caught in the trap, or a drain problem farther down. If other fixtures are slow too, the toilet is only where the main-line problem shows up first.
Toilet Repair at a glance
- Common parts
- Flapper, fill valve, flush valve, wax ring, supply line
- Water waste
- A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons a day
- Replace when
- Porcelain is cracked or repairs keep recurring
- Check
- Shutoff valve at the wall works
Updated · How we write our pages
What are the signs you need a plumber?
- The toilet runs constantly or refills on its own
- Water on the floor around the base
- The toilet rocks when you sit
- A weak flush or the bowl filling high before draining
- Clogs that come back after plunging
What does the plumber do?
- 1
Diagnose
The plumber checks the tank parts, the base and the flush to find the actual fault.
- 2
Repair
Worn tank parts, the supply line or the wax ring are replaced.
- 3
Clear the trap
A closet auger removes a blockage a plunger can't reach.
- 4
Test
Several flushes confirm a full flush, a correct refill and a dry base.
What affects the cost of toilet repair?
It depends on the job, and a plumbing company can only give a firm price after seeing it. Prices also vary by region and by time of day. These are the factors that move a quote up or down. Ask for the price in writing before work begins.
- Which part has failed
- Whether the flange or subfloor is damaged
- Repair versus a new toilet
- The model chosen if replacing
What can you do yourself, and when should you call a plumber?
Safe to try
- Turn the shutoff valve behind the toilet clockwise to stop an overflow
- Replace a flapper or fill valve; both are simple, low-cost parts
- Use a flange plunger, not a flat sink plunger
Call a plumber when
- Don't keep flushing a toilet that is rising toward the rim
- Don't use chemical drain cleaner in a toilet
- Call if water at the base returns after tightening the bolts
Toilet Repair questions
Why does my toilet keep running?
The flapper is not sealing or the fill valve is not shutting off. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank: if color reaches the bowl without flushing, replace the flapper.
Why is water leaking around the base of my toilet?
The wax ring that seals the toilet to the drain has likely failed, or the toilet has worked loose. The toilet has to be lifted and reset on a new seal, and the flange checked.
When should a toilet be replaced instead of repaired?
Replace it when the tank or bowl is cracked, when it needs frequent repairs, or when it is an older model using 3.5 gallons or more per flush. Current toilets use 1.28 gallons.
How long does toilet repair take?
Replacing tank parts takes about 30 minutes. Resetting a toilet on a new wax ring takes around an hour, more if the flange needs repair.
Why is my toilet making noise when no one has flushed?
Water is leaking from the tank into the bowl, usually past a worn flapper, and the fill valve opens briefly to top the tank up. It is often called a phantom flush.
Why does my toilet clog so often?
Common causes are an early low-flow model with a weak flush, a partial blockage in the trap, mineral buildup in the rim holes or a problem in the drain line. If other fixtures are slow too, the cause is in the line.
How long does a toilet last?
The porcelain can last 50 years or more. The working parts inside the tank last about 5 to 10 years and are inexpensive to replace.
Where we connect homeowners with plumbers
Toilet Repair requests are taken from across the United States. Local conditions change the work, so start with your city or find your state.
Related services
Drain Cleaning
Clogged sink, tub, shower or main drain? Learn how plumbers clear drains with cables and jetting, and call to reach a local drain cleaning plumber..
Learn moreLeak Detection
A high water bill, a damp wall or the sound of running water can mean a hidden leak.
Learn moreFaucet Repair
Dripping faucet, leak under the handle or low flow at the sink? See what plumbers repair and replace on kitchen, bath and outdoor faucets..
Learn more
Need a plumber for this?
Call and tell us what's going on. Calling is free, and the plumber confirms the price before any work starts.